NFL Nation: 2013 Week 4 WAS at OAK Rapid Reaction

OAKLAND –- A few thoughts on the Oakland Raiders’ 24-14 loss to Washington:

What it means: Depth is an issue for the Raiders, no doubt. So when they had to play the final three quarters without their starting offensive backfield -- quarterback Terrelle Pryor (concussion) was inactive and running back Darren McFadden (hamstring) and fullback Marcel Reece (knee) were both lost in the first half -- it didn't go well. Simply put, Matt Flynn, Rashad Jennings and Jamize Olawale did not have enough staying power as Flynn was sacked seven times. And the defense, which started out hot, ran out of gas after taking a 14-0 lead.

Stock watch: Falling: McFadden. He’s in a contract year and has never played more than 13 games in a season, so give yourself a pat on the back if you had the injury-prone back going down in Week 4. He started strong, carrying the ball five times for 29 yards, including a 14-yard gain on his first carry. But he was lost in the first half with a hamstring injury and watched the second half in street clothes on the bench.

Just Flynn, baby? With each sack he absorbed, the crowd’s booing of Flynn grew. And sure, his pocket presence left something to be desired. But now you see why Pryor was a more attractive starting QB candidate. His running and ability to extend plays cover up many of the offensive line’s deficiencies. Opposing defenses have to respect Pryor more than Flynn, so to speak, so they are able to pin their ears back and bull-rush Flynn, who finished 21-for-32 for 227 yards, one TD and a pick-six interception. He also lost two fumbles.

What's next: The Raiders (1-3) play host to San Diego (2-2) next Sunday, the day after the A’s play Game 2 of their American League Division Series at the O.co Coliseum. What is not settled yet, though, is the start time for Raiders-Chargers. If the A’s play an earlier game on Saturday, the Raiders kick off at the regularly-scheduled time of 1:25 p.m. PT. But if the A’s have a later game, kickoff will be at 8:30 p.m. PT. Major League Baseball is expected to announce its times early this week.

What it means: Washington can exhale for at least another game. After an ugly 0-3 start, Washington's victory at Oakland enables them to enter their bye week feeling a little better about themselves. Yes, Oakland's offense is not that great when quarterback Matt Flynn is starting. But the Redskins needed a boost and Oakland provided one. The Redskins will not spend two weeks answering as many tough questions as they would have had they suffered their fourth straight loss. The Redskins showed a little more swagger in the second half on offense, with flashes of the old Robert Griffin III -- and a heck of a hurdle by running back Roy Helu.

Hurry up: The Redskins’ offense started to find its rhythm when they went to a no-huddle attack in the second quarter. They did not get a touchdown out of that look, but it sped the tempo and provided them with a little surge. It also seemed to provide some confidence. The Redskins do not like to use that strategy for an entire game because they feel it changes too much of what they like to do. But they favor it as a change-up approach, and it did its job Sunday. But perhaps the play that really turned their momentum around was a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by rookie corner David Amerson.

Stock watch: Rising: Nose tackle Barry Cofield. The past two weeks Cofield has been the Redskins’ best defensive player. His quickness in the middle, plus his ability to handle -- and occasionally beat -- double teams has been huge. He recorded two sacks in a game for the first time in his career. The Redskins’ defense recorded seven sacks and made one stop after another in the second half. Cofield recovered a fumble caused by linebacker Ryan Kerrigan's sack.

Falling: Special teams. They continue to make mistakes each game and put the Redskins in an early hole when Perry Riley allowed a stunt to get past him for a blocked punt and touchdown. They’re not atoning for their mistakes.

Fortunate bounce: The Redskins received a number of good bounces a year ago when they’d turn their fumbles into touchdowns. That hasn’t been the case this season. But they received one huge break in the fourth quarter when Helu fumbled a third-down reception. The Raiders would have had the ball inside the Redskins’ 30. But an offside penalty negated the play. The Redskins ended up punting on the play; it could have been worse.

What’s next: The Redskins have a bye on Sunday before traveling to face the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13.